A SEA OF GREEN

It seems that we left the sparkling blue Mediterranean Sea only to exchange it for a sea of green.

The rolling green hills of Tuscany. 

Best seen of course from a hilltop village like Barberino Val d' Elsa or today's destination 

San  Gimignano. 

 You park the car then walk UP through the town walls. 

Then you stroll along winding streets lined with shops and restaurants and ancient doors.

There were certainly people around but not huge crowds and it was easy to mooch along exploring the little laneways which always seemed to open onto a large piazza.

In what seemed to be the main town square we sat at a nice little cafe for lunch and along came an Italian bride and groom with their wedding photographer for some photos at the large well in the centre of the square.

Most of the tourists who had been sitting there moved away to give them their photos and there were a lot more cameras clicking than just the official photographer's. Then they were treated to a round of applause from the watching crowd.

There are a couple of vantage points where the views are superb

So we snapped away with gay abandon.

Aren't digital cameras wonderful ?

Grape vines and olive trees as far as the eye can see. 

Even the lizards are green !!!

We headed home planning to shop for dinner and bread for breakfast from our local store only to find every single business in our town closed !

I "spoke " to  a couple of ladies in the street who didn't speak any English. They told me everything was " chiuso" - closed. 

When I managed to indicate that I was looking for food the old lady became worried I was hungry and wanted to get me some bread and meat from her kitchen ! Dear old thing !

Anyhow we were about to set off back to San Gimignano as we only have carrots left at home when we discovered one of the local restaurants opening up for dinner. 

Perfect !

and the food was lovely. 

Pasta and strawberries for dessert.

Delicious !

Cheers.